Safety platform mechanism.



F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

' 7 APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1914- 1,149,759,- Patent-ed Aug. 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

am masses COLUMBIA FLANOgRAPH CO.,WASHINGTDN, D. C.

F HEDLEY & J S DOYLE SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

- APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1914. 1,149,759. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETSSHEET Z.

F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

" Patented Aug. 10,1915.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8 1,149,759.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH 120.. WASHINGTON, D. c

F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1914. v 1,149,759. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETSSHEET 4- Mme/mac CDLUMinA PLANOGRAPl-l 120.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

F. HEDLEY & J. S.DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. I914.

Patented Au 10; 1915.

Is SHEIETISSHEET 5.

COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM mecmmsm.

APPLICATION FILEDVSEPT. 8, 1914- Patented A11 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET fi- F. HEDLEY & .I. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISML APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETSSHEET 7.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cm. WASHINGTO D. c.

F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, I914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

s I 15 SHEETSSHEET8 @371 bf 14c F. HEDLEY& J. S. DOYLE. SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. I914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

l5 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

a moewtozs COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH COHWASMINOTON, D' C- F. HEDLEY M. s. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 19x4.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1914. 1,149,759. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

' '15 SHEETS-SHEET H.

mtg??? Way-2.4

COLUMBIVA PLANOORAPH qo.,WAsmNmN. D. c.

F. HEDLEY III. s. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1914.

1,149,? 59. Patefited Aug. 10, 1915.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

I I W mg h fimc/ ax? wd COLUMBIA PLANonRAPH CO.,WASHINOTON. D. c.

F. HEDLEY &,J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. '1914- Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

l5 SHEETS-SHEET 13.

fig. 27.

l ln M vqJ L ms was 11 wow I COLUMBIA PLANoflRAPI-l 90.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

F. HEDLEY & J. S. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8' I914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETS SHEET I4.

F. HEDLEY & 1. 8. DOYLE.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET l5- am/14 we as mm M? COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH ISO-,WASHINBTON, D. C.

FRANK HEDLEY, F YONKERS, AND JAMES S. DOYLE, 0F MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

SAFETY PLATFORM MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed September 8, 1914. Serial no. 860,666,.

To all whom it may concern:

v Be it known that we, FRANK HEDLEY and JAMES S. DOYLE, both citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Yonkers and Mount Vernon, in the county of 'Westchester, State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Safety Platform Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to safety platform mechanism and particularly to gap filling devices between the sides of trains or cars and the proximate edge of a station or landing platform, and mechanism for controlling the same. a

The object of the invention is to provide means which are simple and efficient for filling the gap between the sides of trains or cars and the adjacent edge of a station or landing platform, as a safety means to prevent accident or injury to passengers while boarding or alighting from the car 'or train by stepping, falling or being crowded into an unprotected gap or opening between the car or train and the platform.

A further object is to provide means of the nature referred to which are operable only when the car or train is in proper position or relation with reference to the platform or gap filling devices.

A. further object is to provide gap filling devices of the nature referred to which are operable only when the train or car is in a predetermined position.

A further object is to provide devices of the nature referred to which are interlocked with train or car starting or stopping signaling system to prevent the train or car from being inopportunely started.

A. further object is to provide the station platform or landing with movable sections or segments which are advanced against the side of the car or train when the latter is in predetermined position to fill the space or gap. between the car or train and the stationary part of the station platform or landing.

A. further object is to provide power .mechanism for operating the movable plat form segments or sections.

A further object is to provide means which are dependent on the conjoint action of the power mechanism for advancing the 1novable sections or portions of the station platform or landing.

A further object is to provide a construction of movable sections or segments of a stationary platform or landing which may be operated without endangering persons standing on or over the movable sections or segments. j

A further object is to' provide means controlled by the departure of a train or car from astation landing or platform for retracting or withdrawing the advanced sections or segments of the platform.

Other and important objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set fortlnas shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally ingsFigure l is a broken'view in transverse section illustrating a gap between the side of a car or train andthe proximate edge of a station platform or landing, and the danger of injury or accident to passengers while boarding or alighting from the car or train over or across said gap. Fig. 2 is a similar view showingina general way the operation of a gap filling mechanism embodying the principles of our invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the electric circuit connections concerned, in the operation of movable sections or segments of a stationary platform or landing in accordance with the principles of our invention. Figs. 4 and 5, are detail views of contact devices employed in connection with the control of the withdrawal movement of the movable platform sections or segments. Fig. 6 is a top plan view showing the relation of a curved track, a car thereon, a stationary platform or landing and a movable portion thereof, and lndlcatingmeans for operatmg form, and a form of means for operating the same. Fig. 8 is a broken'view in vertical section on the line 8, 8, Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the gap filling segment or section n its ad vanced or projected position. F ig. 9, is a broken detail view in section, on the line 9, 9, Fig. 16, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing thefront end portions of the interlocking fingers of thestationary and movable parts of the platform, with the latter in retracted position. Fig. 10'is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the movable portion of the platform, in. retracted posis tion. Fig. 11 is a broken view 1n top plan indicating the bumper rolls at the end of a V movable.section'ofthe )latformf Fig. 12 is,

' a view similar to Fig.' showing. the fioor- I mg remoyed so as to chsclosethe frame and operating mechan sm of the movable seotion offthe platform. Fig. .13, is a vertical secties on the line as, 13, ng. .10 .l ooking in the direction of the 'arrows. broken detail view in section through a supporting wheel of the. movablepgortion of the platform ontheline 14,14 Fig. 12. Fig. 15..

i is Ia broken .view in front elevation of the.

Fig. 16

bumper rollers shown in Fig. 11. I is a brokenv ew in front elevation of the front edge of a movableportlon or section of theplatform. Fig. 17 is a'similar viewv 5 somewhat enlarged. Fig. 18,1is, a top plan ,view of the construction showh in Fig. 17. 'Fig. 19 is a'brokenlview n top plan show:

ing a modified arrangement wherein the movable portion orsection of the platform.

is carriedand moved out bymeans of a motor opera te d swinging arm. 20 is a vertical sect on onthe llne 20, F1g. 19. Fig.

. 21, isa detail view of acontact device employed' in connection with theoperation of the construction shown in Figs, 19 and 20.

Fig. 22 is a broken view. in top planshowing a modified form of our invention wherein the movable section is advanced by the di' rect actionof motorsconnected thereto. Fig.

23is a vertical section of the same on the rline 2 3,23 Fig. 22, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 24 is a broken view in top plan showing a modified arrangement wherein the movable section of the platform is normally held retracted by spring pressed pantograph arms. Fig. 25, is a similar View N with thefloor of the stationary portion of .the platform removed disclosing power mechanism for advancing the movable portion of the platform. Fig. 26 is a vertical section on the line 26, 26, Fig. 24. Fig. 27 v. is a broken view in' top plan showing a modified arrangement wherein the movable section of the platformis in the form of ,looking in the direction of the arrows. 231s a broken vlew in top plan showing anmotor operated extensible apron. Fig. 28 is a vertical section on the line 28, 28,. Fig. 27, Fi

other form of construction wherein the mov ablesection of the platform isdirectly connected to thepower mechanism for project- Iii ii is ing the same. Fig. 30 is a vertical section of the same on the line 30, 30, Fig. 29, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 31,

is a detail view showing a yielding connection to resist the friction of the car side on the buffer. roller of the movable section of the platform. Fig. 32 is a broken view in top plan showing another arrangement wherein the movable section or portion of the platform is counter-weighted and manually operated. Fig. 33 is a vertical section on the line 33, 33, Fig. 32, looking in the direction of the arrows. v

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever occurs throughoutthe several views. k a

In the construction of streetand railway track systems, such as subway,elevated and surface lines, andparticularly where board- .ing and alightingf'p1atforms are provided for passengers to step directly to and from thesamein alighti'ng from or boarding the car or train standing alongside'the platform it is frequentlynecessary to leave considerable space between the line of the side of the ,car or'train and the proximate edge of the station platform in order to provide the necessary clearance therebetween. Particularly is this true wherethe station is located onfaQcurveof the track rails. Such a space between the car or train and the station platform is a fruitful source of accident and injury to passengers who are required to alight from or, to board the carby stepping .across ,s'uch space, and who frequently miss the 'car or the platform and fall down or are crowded from the carol? the platform into such space, thereby receiving injury. Italso somet mes happens th'atthe car or tram is inadvertentlystarted while apassenger or a foot or leg of a passenger has become wedgedin such space, with serious and sometimes fatal results.

..,It is among the special purposes of our present invention to provide means for avoiding such accidents and to render the toward the side ofthe car or train so as tofill up the intervening space and to afford a flooring or support all the way to the side of the car or train, thereby eliminating the intervening gap or space and hence eliminating the possibility of accident or injury by reason of passengers inadvertently stepping or slipping into suc'lispace. The movable section, or sections of theplatform may take various forms and have various arrangements for projecting the same into position for use and for withdrawing or retracting the same, and we have shown several arrangements for the purpose in order to illustrate various practical embodiments of the principles of our invention,

predetermined position, thereby insuringthe proper relation of the car or train and the movable portion or portions of the platform when the advancement is effected. To this end we propose to control the operation of the movable portion or portions of the station platform conjointly by the car or train and control devices on the stationary platform. In order to avoid the useless opera tion of platform sections when a car is not opposite thereto, that is, in order to provide for the operation of different lengths of train, or different numbers of cars, in a train, we propose to employ means partly under the control of each car of the train for controlling the particular movable platform portion or section oppositethereto so that a platform section is advanced only when a car is standing opposite the same. We also propose to employ train trip and signal mechanism so related and arranged that the train will be stopped if the segments or movable portions are not properly withdrawn. \Ve also propose to provide a construction of movable platform section which will minimize the danger of injury to persons standing thereover during the advancing or retracting movements thereof.

Referring to the drawings we have shown,

in Fig. 1, the common and objectionable arrangement wherein a car A while operating along track rails B and alongside the ordinary station platform C, leaves a considerable and dangerous space D, between the side of the car and the proximate edge of the platform. In Fig. 2 we have illustrated an application of a movable section E of the platform designed to be advanced or projected from the stationary part G, of the station platform to cover or. fill the space or gap D, between the side of the car and the.

proximate edge of the stationary platform C.

In Figs. 6 to 18, inclusive, we have shown one practical and operative. embodiment of our inventnon. Referrlng particularly to these figures of the drawing, numeral 35,

' designates the foundation supports for the station platform or landing C. These supports may be ofmasonry or other suitable or convenient construction. Mounted upon the foundation 35, is a platform supporting structure which includes the frame beams 36, and the. fixed rails 37. The stationary portion C of the platform may be of concrete, as shown, or of any desired material y suitable to produce a flooring. A movable framework 38, is carried by wheels 39, which operate along'the stationary rails 37. The latter eXtend at right angles to the edge of the station platform C, and consequently the movable framework 38, operating along the rails 37, moves at right angles to the edge of the station platform C. If desired,

and in order to reduce'friction, the wheels 39, may be of the ball bearing type as indi- 1':

cated at 40, Fig. 14. If desired, and in order to insure against any vertical tiltingof the movable frame 38, the stationary frame work 36, may be provided with wearing members 41, positioned above and parallel 1;:

to the rails 37, and over the wheels 39, with sufficient clearance therebetween to insure smooth and easy movement of thewheels. Themovable frame 38, may be guided and heldsteady in itsmovements along the rails i 37, in any suitable or convenient manner. We have shown a simple and efficient arrangement for the purpose wherein said frame38 is provided with side guards 42,

arranged in pairs, at the front and rear portions thereof, and guide rollers 13, journaled upon vertical studs, are positioned'to operate'between said guides. In this arrangement the movable frame is truly and;

accurately held and guided in the move ments thereof. The frame 38 may be shift ed or movedback and forth along the rails- 37, in any suitable or convenient manner. InFigs. 6 to 18, we have shown our arrangement for this purpose which we have found efficient and suitable. In this construction a lever 44, is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as at 45, upon a fixed portion of the stationary frame work. A motor 46 is connected to said lever on the upper side of its fulcrum and a motor 47 is similarly connected to the leverbelow its fulcrum. The upper end of the rocking lever is connected by means of a clevis 4-8, to the movable frame work 38. The lever rocksin a vertical plane parallel to the length of the rails 37. When the motor 47 is operated'the lever is rocked in a direction to shift the movable frame along the rails 37 in a'direction to project said frame beyond the edge of the stationary portion of the platform, and when the motor 46 is operated said lever is rocked in a direction to retract said frame from projected oradvanced position. 'At its edge the stationary portion of the station platform C, or its supporting frame, in the form shown in Figs. 6 to 18, is profilmed with fingers which are Spaced apart from each other to form a grating. At theirforwardends the upper edges of the fingers 4:9, are slightly curved downwardly, as indicated at 50, Figs. aeand 10.

Mounted upon the front portion of -the movable frame are coeperating fingers 51, which interlock in alternating relation with the fingers 49; and the upper edges of which,

when the movable frame is fully retracted,

lie slightly below the upper edges of the fixed fingers 49, but, by reason of the slight downward curvature of the upper edges of fingers 49, at their forwarder outer ends, when the movable frame is advanced to its forward limit the upper edges ofthe movable: fingers passsomewhat above the cone sponding edges'of the fixed fingers. By

grating when said movable frame is projectedibeyondthe edge of the stationary platform, is avoided since the change of supporting'surface from the stationary to the movable fingers, or vice versa, is so gradua l'that the weight of the person-is :transferred from the 1 one to the other smoothly and easily, and without danger of disturbing the equilibrium of the person standing thereon. If desired suitable means may :bewprovided to yieldingly receive' the impact of tliemovable portion of the-plat form with the side of the car when said movable portion is advanced to fill or bridge the gap or space between the side of the car and the station platform; 'A- simple arrangement for the purpose is shown wherein bell crank levers 52, are pivotally mounted atone-endiupon or adjacent the end ofa movable section or segment of the platform. Intermediate its ends, orat its angle, each bell crank lever carries a bufferroll 5'3, and aspiring -54, acting against the other arm ofttheubellwcrank lever tendsto yieldingly rock said lever in a direction to force the buffer rolls outwardly somewhat in advance of the front or advancing edge of the movable portion of the platform, and into position to take the impact of the side of the car. This "construction avoids unnecessary.

shock due to theapproach of the car side and the proximate edge of the'movable section of the platform, when 'the'latter is moving therep'ast, and'also affords yielding order to take the Wear of the buffer rolls a side strip or plate may be applied to the beinghad to'Figs. 8, 4 and 5.

' It is to'be observed that in order to attain the highest degree of safety and to reduce the danger of accident and injury to the I lowest possible minimum, each car should occupy a pre'determlned position op- 'p'osite its cooperatingmovable platform portion or section before said portion or section is advanced to fill or cover the a between the "side ofjsaid car and the proximate edge 'of the station platform. To accomplish this result we propose to control the movement of the movable platform sec tion conjointly by the position occupied by the car, or train, and by manually or other operated means on the platform. Ive also propose to provide means controlled by the position of the movable platform sections for controlling the respective motors or other devices employed for operating them. Ive also 'propose to control the train trip device or the train track signal system by the respective relative positions of advancement or retraction of the movable sections or portions of the platform. One electrical system for accomplishing these and other purposes is shown in Figs. 3, l, and 5, as illustrative of the principles of our invention, and wherein the motors for operating the movable sections E of the platform to their projected positions are controlled by devices 105, here indicated as electropneumatic valves, while the motorsfor' operating these'ctions E, to retracted position are controlled by devices 106, also indicated as electrop'n'eumatic valves. The track rails B upon which the car orv train operates are shown associated with the ordinary third rail l07,'through which current issupplied to the car or train propelling motor or motors. At or adjacent each end of the sta tion or platform is a short section of insulated conductor 108, 109, to which circuit is completed from the third rail or conductor 107, only when the car or the first car reaches the same or passes thereover, as indicated by dotted lines 110, 111. Opposite each movable section E of the platform is a short insulated section of track rail, indicated at 112', which is grounded only when a car truck'is standing thereon. In order to explain the operation we will assume that a car or train is approaching the station fromthe right. When said car, or the first car of the train reaches the section 108, of conductor 'a" circuit is completed as follows: from the third rail 107, through connection 108, wire 113, contacts 114-, whichat this time are closed, wire 115, the coils 116 of a solenoid, which, when energized, openscontacts 11 i, and closes contacts 117, 118, and from coil 116, said circuit continues through wire 110, and the contacts 120, in series, to ground or return as indicated at 121. It will be observed that this circuit is not completed unless all the contact devices 120 are closed. These contacts are closed only after the electro-pneumatic valve devices 106 are energized, that is, only when the motors which retract the movable sections E have all been operated and said sections withdrawn into retracted position. It will be seen that the circuit to conductor section 108 is closed only for a short interval of time as the car or first car of a train (and when we refer to a car we intend to include either a single car or the first car of a train) passes thereover. However, when the circuit above traced is completed and the relay solenoid 116 is energized this circuit is broken at contact 114, but the same action which breaks the contacts 114, closes the contacts 118, and thereupon circuit source through wire 122, wire 123contacts 118 and the coils of solenoid 116, wire 119, and contacts 120 to ground at 121. Consequently when the circuit connection at 108 is broken by the car passing beyond said conductor section in approaching the station the solenoid 116, remains energized, and the contacts 117, 11 i, and 118, remain closed. This is the condition when the car reaches the conductor section 109, whereupon a circuit is completed from the third rail 107, through connection 111, conductor 109, wire 124:, contacts 117, wire 126 in which is located a switch device 125, on the station platform, which is under tl e control of a station attendant and which, when closed, completes said circuit through all the motor control devices or electropneuinatic control valves 105, which control the advancing movements of the platform sections E. These control devices are in multiple relation to each other. The branch or multiple circuits which include the motor control devices 105, may be grounded, or connected to return, as indicated at 127. In such case all the movable sections E of the platform will be advanced by the operation of their respective motors. It may be desired, however, to advance only the particular platform section or sections opposite which a car or cars are standing, thereby avoiding an unnecessary operation of platform sections where there are no cars for them to cooperate with. To accomplish this instead of directly grounding the circuits of motor control devices at 127, we omit the grounds at these points and connect the circuits of said respective contact devices to the short insulated track sections 112, respectively positioned opposite, or in 006pinsulated section 112 of the track.

erative relation to the sections E, as indicated by the dotted lines at 128. With this arrangement the circuit of the motor control device 105 of any platform section E, is completed through the connection 128, track section 112, and truck of the car standing opposite said section on the track rails, with the truck or a portion thereof occupying the Consequently the motor which operates a platform section to advanced position is not actuated unless a car is standing opposite thereto, and then only when the car or first car of the train is in position to complete the circuit connection from the third rail 107, to the conductor section 109, and also, only when the station platform switch 125, is closed. It will also be seen that this operation is not accomplished unless the relay solenoid 116, has been energized, and this is made possible only by'the approach of the car or train to the platform through the conductor section 108, and also only when all the contacts 120 are closed, that is, only when all the platform sections are fully withdrawn into retracted position. When the car or first car of the train passes beyond the conductor section 109, as it departs from the station, or when the station switch 125 is opened, the circuit of the motor control devices 105 is broken, and the motors which advance the platform section are rendered inoperative. This, however, does not affect the platform sections which have been advanced. In fact after the platform sections have been advanced the station switch 125 may be opened without material result. The only requirement is that this switch be closed when the car of the train, arrives at the point necessary to close the circuit connection 111, to the conductor section 109. This arrangement removes the possibility of in opportune or untimely operation of the movable platform sections due to the untimely operation of the platform switch 125, that is, it removes largely the danger of accident due to the personal element involved in the manual operation and control of the switch 125.

As the car or train departs from the sta-' tion the pressure of the side of the car or cars against the projected platform sections E, and especially at stations located at curved portions of the track, causes said platform sections to be forced back toward retracted position. The movements of each platform section E, controls the sets of contacts 130, 131, and 132, in such manner that when the platform sections E are fully projected the associated contacts 130 and 132 are opened, and the contacts 131 are closed. When the sections E are partly retracted av certain distance the contacts 130 are closed with the contacts 131 remaining closed, and when the sections E are completely retract- 

